Alliance Credit Counseling - Resource Center

Wednesday, 10 March 2010

	Financial Literacy and Resource Awareness Knowing what to do and when are key success factors in any area. Where to get such information is critical. Financial literacy promotion and learning are primary objectives, as is helpful service referrals.
	Government and Charitable Agency Resources Many resources exist to help in almost any area, but finding the proper agency and phone number just to get started can be time-consuming and discouraging. We have tried to make it easier for you to obtain help by compiling the hundreds of resources in their respective areas below. Below are various links to help identify governement, social, and charitable resources to obtain information and help. Feel free to contact one of our counselors for a free consultation to help you identify the appropriate resource. National Resources ~ State Crisis Hotlines ~ State Social Services ~ Charlotte Area
	Training Resources The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) recognizes the importance of financial education. Money Smart, a training program to help adults outside the financial mainstream, was developed by the FDIC to enhance their money skills. Financial education fosters financial stability for individuals and for entire communities. The more people know about credit and banking services, the more likely they are to increase savings, buy homes, and improve their financial health and well being. The Money Smart curriculum helps individuals build financial knowledge, develop financial confidence, and use banking services effectively. The Money Smart Program is a friendly and easy to use CBT (computer based training) learning tool that teaches the entire Money Smart curriculum online. It has ten modules. It can be completed over several sessions. English: Enter Money Smart CBI Online Espanol: Entra en Money Smart CBI Online The FannieMae Foundation has authorized Alliance to provide the Growing Your Money participants guide below. The guide is a detailed manual on step by step procedures to develop and use a Spending Plan, working with checking and savings accounts, understanding credit practices and your credit report, and getting a loan. Growing Your Money Outreach Training Our Outreach Department can provide financial literacy training and counseling to groups and individuals. Upcoming events are listed at the right. We provide hundreds of sessions each year in conjunction with other human services agencies such as Safe Passage, Florence Crittenton, Women's Commission, Job Clubs in NC and SC Employment Security Agencies, the YMCA, churches, schools, and universities. We also work with employers to help their staff be more prepared or to find solutions. Contact us at 704-943-0391 or Outreach@KnowDebt.org.
	Publications We have developed numerous articles on a wide variety of topics that should be helpful in your efforts to improve your personal financial situation. The following is a list of financial education publications. Electronic document titles are available for viewing or dowloading. A brief description follows each title. To open a title, click on it. Printed copies of these documents are available to appropriate audiences without charge. Contact any counselor for very small quantities, or our Outreach Department for quantities of more than five. Spending
	Checks Have Changed: Living With Check 21 [ACC pdf] Check management tips in light of the recent law allowing your checks to be replaced with electronic copies.
	Holiday $urvival Guide [ACC pdf] Seven strategies for avoiding a holiday debt-hangover, many seasonal money-saving ideas and a simple Holiday Spending Planner.
	Keys To A Smart Ride [ACC pdf] Transportation options, steps to buying a vehicle, buy vs lease considerations, and ways to minimize post-purchase costs.
	Making Cents Of The Holi-daze [ACC pdf] Six steps for minimizing holiday stress, gift ideas that are inexpensive, activity ideas for making memories instead of debt, and a simple Holiday List Planner.
	Managing Your Money [ACC pdf] Basic tools for money management – checking, savings, electronic banking – and questions to ask when choosing providers.
	More With Less [ACC pdf] Five key strategies with dozens of suggestions for dealing with reduced income.
	Reaching Your Financial Goals [ACC pdf] Six steps for defining your financial goals and turning them into concrete plans.
	Ready For Tax Time [ACC pdf] Reasons to file, organizational tips, what’s new, filing methods, and finding help.
	Taking Your Financial Pulse [ACC pdf] Explanations of basic financial measurements, warning signs of debt trouble, and guidance for shaping up.
	Tax Time Topics [ACC pdf] Enlightening information on taxes, ways to minimize the burden, and where to get help.
	The Spending Plan: Simple Steps To Financial Wellness [ACC pdf] A complete budgeting packet: important facts, clear worksheets, and simple step-by-step directions for creating a successful spending plan.
	66 Ways To Save Money [FTC pdf] Practical ways to cut everyday costs on transportation, insurance, banking, credit, housing, utilities, food, and more.

	Credit & Debt
	Building Good Credit [ACC pdf] The definition of credit, the aspects lenders consider before extending credit, 10 steps for building credit and rebuilding credit.
	Choosing A Credit Counselor [ACC pdf] Defines debt repayment plans, explains the differences between secured and unsecured debt, and offers questions to ask credit counseling agencies if you consider using their services. FTC text.
	Credit Card Smarts [ACC pdf] Education about the different types of plastic money, potential benefits and pitfalls, key terms, and seven tips for using wisely.
	Dangers Of Debt Settlement [ACC pdf] Critical information for anyone considering settlement: detailed explanation of the process and consequences as well as other options to consider.
	How To Check Your Credit Reports [ACC pdf] Critical information on how to obtain and understand your credit reports.
	How To Dispute Errors On Your Credit Reports [ACC pdf] Clear directions for disputing errors on your credit reports.
	Raising Your Credit Scores [ACC pdf] Information on how your score is calculated and 21 tips for raising your scores.
	The Biting Price Of Payday Loans [ACC pdf] The truth about the real cost of these quick loans as well as a list of better options.
	Your Rights In Fair Debt Collection [ACC pdf] Answers to commonly asked questions about your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. FTC text.
	Credit And Your Consumer Rights [FTC pdf] Practical ways to cut everyday costs on transportation, insurance, banking, credit, housing, utilities, food, and more.
	Getting Credit: What You Need To Know About Your Credit [FTC pdf] Provides tips on shopping for credit cards, using cards carefully, and keeping your credit record clean. Also explains credit reports and credit scores, how to protect your identity, improve your credit record, and what to do if you are a victim of identity theft. A good source of information for people learning about credit.
	Knee Deep In Debt [FTC pdf] If you or someone you know is in financial hot water, consider these options: realistic budgeting, credit counseling from a reputable organization, debt consolidation, or bankruptcy. Tips on getting back in the black.

	Privacy & Fraud
	Consumer Protection [ACC pdf] Clear definitions and facts about identity theft along with warning signs, tips for protecting yourself, and what to do if you become a victim.
	Identity Theft: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You [ACC pdf] Clear definitions and facts about identity theft along with warning signs, tips for protecting yourself, and what to do if you become a victim.
	Avoiding Credit And Charge Card Fraud [FTC pdf] Tips for guarding against this type of fraud and for reporting losses.
	Getting Purse-onal: What To Do If Your Wallet Or Purse Is Stolen [FTC pdf] Steps to take if your wallet or purse is stolen.
	How Not To Get Hooked By A ‘Phishing’ Scam [FTC pdf] Tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of this type of fraud.

	Home Ownership
	Home Equity Borrowing [ACC pdf] Descriptions of the two basic forms of home equity borrowing, typical uses, potential benefits and dangers, alternatives, and pointers.
	Home Sweet Home [ACC pdf] Considerations for buying or renting, 9 steps to homeownership, types of financing, and where to find live help.
	Keeping Your Home [ACC pdf] Education about the foreclosure process, options you may have, things to watch out for, and how to find help.
	Home Equity Loans: Borrower’s Beware [FTC pdf] Explains common abusive lending practices and how to avoid becoming a victim, and possibly losing your home.
	Looking For The Best Mortgage? Shop, Compare, Negotiate [FTC pdf] Use these three steps to save money on a mortgage or home loan. Includes a mortgage shopping worksheet.
	Reverse Mortgages [FTC pdf] Explains how reverse mortgages (RMs) work and how they can help older homeowners who are “house-rich but cash-poor” remain in their homes and still meet their financial obligations.

	Responding to Life Events
	Help In Times Of Crisis [ACC pdf] Guidelines for finding assistance during hardships with a resource list of social services (disaster, employment, food, clothing, shelter, health & medical, justice, charities).
	Insurance: What’s Your Risk? [ACC pdf] Explanations of life, disability, and health insurance, as well as tips for saving on insurance.
	Credit And Divorce [FTC pdf] Practical ways to cut everyday costs on transportation, insurance, banking, credit, housing, utilities, food, and more. Please click on a selected topic to the left for a list of documents that may be of interest to you.

	Saving & Investing
	Be A Saver [ACC pdf] Motivation for saving, six steps to saving, and information on America Saves.


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